RITUAL, KEPERCAYAAN LOKAL DAN IDENTITAS BUDAYA MASYARAKAT CIOMAS BANTEN

Abstract

This article discusses the local beliefs, the characteristics and cultural identity as well as the socio-religious rituals of Ciomas society. It is a field research using ethnographical method based on anthropological perspective. To analyze the data, the researcher uses structural-functional approach. The finding shows the champion character of jawara is frequently identified with negative labels by several authors such as Willams and Kartodirdjo. The fame of Golok Ciomas that has historical and cultural values for Bantenese society in general is also often referred to champion figures who are rude, valiant, and act like a criminal. As a matter of fact, for majority of Bantenese society, such distinctive characteristics have more positive meanings that were inherited by their ancestors and they still possess religious values maintained up to the present.